Pivotable Fastener Intramedullary Rod for Adjustable Bone Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone fixation devices, such as femoral nails, often require a large inventory of static angled screws to accommodate varying fracture angles, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity in treating femoral neck, intertrochanteric, and subtrochanteric fractures.
Innovation Solution
An intramedullary rod with pivotable fasteners that allow for adjustable angle fixation, utilizing a mechanism with a proximal fixation screw that can pivot relative to the rod, enabling dynamic adjustment and reduced inventory needs through a mechanism with a longitudinally-extending passageway and actuation assembly for precise angle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If static angled screws with varying angles are used to treat femoral fractures, then adequate fixation strength can be achieved, but inventory complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single intramedullary rod with a pivotable fastener that can achieve multiple fixation angles (e.g., 115 degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees) through dynamic adjustment. This eliminates the need for multiple static rods with different fixed angles, allowing one device to perform the function of several static devices while maintaining adequate fixation strength across varying fracture patterns
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple static angled screws are maintained in inventory to accommodate varied fracture angles, then treatment versatility is improved, but inventory requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by replacing static angled screws with a pivotable fastener mechanism that can dynamically adjust its angle during surgery. The fastener can be pivoted to different positions (e.g., 115°, 130°, 145°) and locked in place, providing treatment versatility for various fracture angles while requiring only a single rod in inventory rather than multiple static variants
3Ease of operation
If static angled screws are used for femoral fixation, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varied fracture angles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable fastener mechanism allows the surgeon to dynamically adjust the screw angle during the procedure by pivoting the fastener to the desired angle and locking it in place. This maintains procedural simplicity through a straightforward pivot-and-lock operation while significantly improving adaptability to accommodate varied fracture angles that static screws cannot address
Data Source
AI summary
An intramedullary device to repair a bone in a mammalian body and comprising an elongate nail having a stem and a head. The head is provided with a transverse aperture adapted to receive a fastener. An adjustment mechanism is carried by the head for pivoting the fastener from a first angled position relative to the head to a second angled position relative to the head. A set screw is carried by the head. The distal end of the set screw is movable relative to the proximal end of the set screw from a first position for lockably engaging the fastener in the first angled position and a second position for lockably engaging the fastener in the second angled position. A sealing cap and an apparatus having a cap and a set screw are additionally provided.